Attachment Theory Essay

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Attachment Theory Among Children with Developmental Disabilities Introduction Experiences in early life play an influential role on individual differences that develop later in life. These early life experiences consist of transactional relationships, through which individuals are interacting and maintaining life-long ties. Transactional relationships are developed and understood through the caregiver relationship that an individual has developed in the first few years of life (Austrian, 2008, p.365). This relationship being formed and resulting in a main attachment with primary caregivers, such as a mother or father (Austrian, 2008, p.365). Some individuals, such as those with developmental disabilities, may not be given the same opportunities as typical individuals. Due to this variation these individuals require services and programs to help them learn necessary life skills. These services and programs provide an individual with developmental disabilities the necessary competencies to acquire secure attachments with their caregivers and maintain relationships throughout life. Research on Attachment Theory Through current research, attachment theory has been determined to be a detrimental part of an individuals’ life experiences and how one develops over time in regards to relationships (Kurth, 2013, p.16). This attachment is generally composed of an affectional bond between a parent and child (Austrian, 2008, p.365). This bond is a relatively long tie where the parent is important as a unique individual and is interchangeable with no one else. There is the desire to maintain closeness with this partner and grow together as one. One’s relationship with their mother or father develops into a template, making the individual aware of the necessary steps required to foster relationships later on in life. According to Shapiro, Snyder & Treleaven (2012), “in
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